With an estimated 3031 adult individuals remaining, the endemic New Zealand or Hooker’s Sea Lion is the most threatened pinniped (seal, sea lions and walruses) to frequent our Hope Spot. Numbers are in decline even in the main breeding colony. Outside of the breeding season, the sea lions can be found mainly on the southeast coast of the South Island and sometimes on the North Island too. Since the 1970s, fisheries bycatch in the squid trawl fishery has posed the most significant threat to the sea lions’ survival. Disease and even lack of food also play a role, as some commercially fished fish species, such as squid are an important part of the sea lions’ diet.
The New Zealand fur seal tends to spend its life close to shore. Human activities, including fisheries bycatch for example on longlines or the hoki trawl fishery kill many of these animals each year. The southern elephant seal and the leopard seal are visitors to New Zealand. Leopard seals are at home on the Antarctic pack ice, but move north from autumn onwards. They are equipped with impressive canines, but can also sift krill from the water with specially adapted molars.
The New Zealand fur seal tends to spend its life close to shore. Human activities, including fisheries bycatch for example on longlines or the hoki trawl fishery kill many of these animals each year. The southern elephant seal and the leopard seal are visitors to New Zealand. Leopard seals are at home on the Antarctic pack ice, but move north from autumn onwards. They are equipped with impressive canines, but can also sift krill from the water with specially adapted molars.
